Apllikationszentrum Smart System Integration. Ein Beispiel für effizienten Technologietransfer

Abstract
To date, public interest in the development of new electronic systems has been primarily focused on advances in semiconductor technology and microsystem technology. However, in the coming years, the attention will shift to approaches that flexibly, cost-effectively and reliably integrate microsystems into todays products and machinery. Automotive, medical or space applications will stay as important as today, but new applications, often developed in industries not familiar with integration of electronics and or microsystems, will rise up. Agriculture and food processing, power supply, lighting or clothing are but a few examples for this trend towards integration. The examples described here clearly demonstrate that striving for the smallest system dimensions, the lowest manufacturing costs possible and improved power performance are necessary but not sufficient to meet the needs of this branches. Technology providers have to build up a deep understanding of the application and its environment. To achieve this, a technology transfer has to be transformed. The Application Center Smart System Integration, supported by the German Ministry for Education and Research is one approach to meet this demand. The centers focus on new application industries and its methodology will be demonstrated by several examples.